George Gamow (1904–1968)
Author of One Two Three . . . Infinity
About the Author
Born in Odessa, Russia, George Gamow, the son of a teacher, studied at the University of Leningrad, becoming professor of physics in 1931. He emigrated to the United States in 1933 and taught at George Washington University (1934-56) and at the University of Colorado (1956-68). His scientific work show more covered many fields, mostly related to nuclear physics. In the field of molecular biology, Gamow suggested the triplet mechanism for coding DNA. He and his associate Ralph Alpher developed a detailed model of the early stages of cosmic evolution in the "big bang" theory. Although Gamow's basic assumption that the primordial universe contained only neutrons was incorrect, this assumption stimulated a great deal of subsequent work in cosmology. Gamow wrote 30 popular books on astronomy, physics, and related sciences. In his "Mr. Tompkins" series (one of the most famous), Gamow used the figure of a curious, interested bank clerk as a protagonist for various journeys into quantum physics and gravity. His sense of humor is evident in his books and in his scientific career. For example, one of the key papers on the "big bang" theory is called the alpha-beta-gamma paper. In 1956, UNESCO awarded Gamow the Kalinga Prize for science writing. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Series
Works by George Gamow
The New World of Mr Tompkins: George Gamow's Classic Mr Tompkins in Paperback (1999) — Author — 200 copies
Mr. Tompkins Gets Serious: The Essential George Gamow, The Masterpiece Science Edition (2005) 35 copies
Birthmarks 4 copies
Aarde en heelal 1 copy
La Investigación del átomo 1 copy
Los Hechos de la vida 1 copy
Ordinary Geniuses: Max Delbruck, George Gamow, and the Origins of Genomics and Big Bang Cosmology by Gino Segre… (1876) 1 copy
Den store fysikbog 2 1 copy
Den nya astronomin 1 copy
A Mentor book 1 copy
Den store fysikbog 1 1 copy
Associated Works
Readings in Cosmology and Extragalactic Astronomy: Physics 361-01 Cosmology, Spring Semester 1995 (1995) — Contributor — 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Gamov, Georgiy Antonovich
- Birthdate
- 1904-03-04
- Date of death
- 1968-09-19
- Burial location
- Green Mountain Cemetery, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- Russian Empire (birth)
USA (naturalized 1940) - Birthplace
- Odessa, Russian Empire
- Place of death
- Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Places of residence
- Odessa, Ukrania
Copenhagen, Denmark
Cambridge, England, UK
USA
Boulder, Colorado, USA
Göttingen, Germany (show all 7)
Washington, D.C., USA - Education
- Novorossiya University
University of Leningrad
University of Göttingen - Occupations
- science writer
physicist
cosmologist
professor - Relationships
- Gamow, Igor (son)
- Organizations
- Academy of Science (USSR|1931)
University of Göttingen
Niels Bohr Institute
Cavendish Laboratory
George Washington University
University of California, Berkeley (show all 7)
University of Colorado at Boulder - Awards and honors
- Royal Danish Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Sciences
Kalinga Prize (1956)
Members
Reviews
I am now over eighty years of age, an emeritus Professor of Physical Chemistry. I read this book over seventy years ago, and remember it clearly to this day. While it was hardly a "how-to" book, it inspired me toward a life of science. I was fortunate enough to meet Gamov in the late 1960's, when he gave a seminar at University of California-Irvine and I tried to express my appreciation for his work in the popularization of science and his influence on me. His hand-drawn illustrations are as witty as the text.… (more)
This one really whetted my interest in astronomy.
Lists
Awards
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Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 46
- Also by
- 7
- Members
- 3,662
- Popularity
- #6,912
- Rating
- 3.9
- Reviews
- 45
- ISBNs
- 122
- Languages
- 14
- Favorited
- 7
However: this book is now 60-ish years out of date, and it shows. There are several incorrect 'facts' and several own questions now answered. Science!